Match box



D. L. VAN NESS MATCH BOX Filed Feb. 19, 1940 INVENTOR.

TTOK/VEY.

Patented May 19, 1942 2,283,709 MATCH Box.

David L. Van Ness, Los Angeles, Calif. Application February 19, 1940, Serial'No. 319,701 6 Claims. (cine-29) This invention concerns match books and similar articles. Although the book or container comprising this invention is for housing matches, it is within the purview thereof to include other contents which may be any kind of confection sticks, cosmetic sticks, etc.

The prime object of the invention is to provide means for automatically closing the cover of match books whenever same is released after first obtaining a match stick but before striking same. Unless the cover is closed before striking the match, there is danger of setting afire the remaining matches of the book from the sparks flying about when the match is scraped upon the scratch pad.

Another object is to present a match holding unit that is simple in construction and economical to manufacture; a unit that is provided with adequate space upon which to place advertising, and which would have sufficient novelty and utility that the unit would be highly appreciated and hence make the advertising more effective.

Other objects, advantages and features of my invention will appear from the accompanying drawing, the subjoined detailed description, and the appended claims.

Applicant is about to illustrate and describe one of the forms of his invention in order to teach one how to make, use and vend the same, but it is to be understood that the drawing and description thereof are not to limit the invention in any sense whatsoever, except as limited by the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows the invention in perspective view.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2a is a section taken substantially along the line 2a--2a of Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view of Fig.1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of Fig. 5.

Although paper and cardboard are generally the preferred materials from which to make match books, it is obvious that other materials may be preferred, such as metals, plastics etc. where the cover is to be refilled with just the match pads.

In the form of the invention as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, a match book is illustrated having its entire cover made of a single piece of thin cardboard; the back thereof being indicated by the reference character I, the top by the numeral 2, front flap by 3, bottom by l and upturned front flange by the numeral 5. On the flange is shown the usual scratch pad or emery cloth 6.

. The match pad is represented by the numeral 'I and the plurality of match sticks by 8. There is 'a variety of ways in arranging the match sticks upon the pad such as staggering their heads lat- One end of the elastic I0 is tightly held under the metallic staple I I of the front flap, as shown, and the other end tightly held between the rear of the match pad I and the lower part of the back I'by the staple I2, as shown. The staple I2 also holds the match pad in place with the flange 5 in the usual and Well known manner. The scratch pad or cloth 6 is preferably pasted over the staple I2. shown as glued to the adjacent surfaces of the cover which is indicated by I3.

In order to guide the elastic I0, prevent its movement from its predetermined place and thus assure perfect operation thereof, a staple I4 is provided and fixed to the back of the cover I. For best performance, this staple has a dented portion I5 at its center; this prevents the staple binding the elastic when the staple is tightly driven into place.

By the above construction and arrangement, of the various parts and elements, a match book is provided that has a cover that is automatically snapped closed when released, the elastic freely acting along substantially its entire length to quickly pull the cover over the remaining matches of the pack. The inside surface of the front flap 3 as well as its outer surface, also the back surface I, is available for attractive advertising. In order to avoid conspicuous staples, they may be colored to match the color of the cover portion wherein they are anchored.

Figs. 5 and 6 show a modified'form of the 'in-' The ends of the elastic are by the staples 24 and 25 as in the other form of the invention. The ends may also be glued in place to further secure the anchoring of the elastic ends. in proper place, a staple 26 having the dent 21 is provided. To conceal the top end of the elastic, a hole 28 is made in the cover and the elastic passed through same to engage the staple on the outer side of the front flap. The entire outer surface of the cover has pasted thereto a veneer of attractive paper or cloth 29 which hides all the unattractive appearance of the common cardboard which forms the structural part of the book. The scratch pad 30 is applied in the usual manner and at the usual place.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a match book combination comprising a back panel and front panel joined together by a top wall, a match pad fixed to the lower edge of the back panel, a vertical channel at the rear of the pad between certain matches of the pad, an elastic band having one end fixed to the lower edge of the back panel and the other end fixed to the front panel near the top edge thereof, an intermediate portion of the band passing through the channel and freely stretching therein when the front panel is raised, said band causing the front panel to return when it is released.

2. In a match book having a bottom section, back, top and a front flap, a plurality of match sticks having their bottoms fixed to the bottom of the book, a space formed between certain of the match sticks parallel to the length thereof, an elastic element in the space, said element having one end fixed to the book near its bottom and the other end fixed to the flap near the top of the book so that when the flap is raised from the bottom of the book, the elastic element will freely move in the space and cause the flap to return when released.

3. The book recited in claim 2 including a guide having a recessed portion for the elastic element and fixed near the top of the back of the book for limiting lateral movement of the element.

4. In a match book having a bottom section, back, top and a front flap, a plurality of match sticks having their bottoms fixed to the bottom To guide the elastic and hold it of the book, a space formed between certain of the match sticks parallel to the length thereof, an elastic in the space, said element having one end fixed to the book near its bottom and the other end fixed to the flap near the top of the book so that when the flap is raised from the bottom of the book, the elastic element will freely stretch and cause the flap to return when released, a guide fixed near the top of the back of the book for limiting lateral movement of the element, said guide comprising a staple having a dent to receive the elastic element and allowing free movement thereof.

5. In a match book having a bottom section,

back, top and a front flap, a plurality of match sticks having their bottoms fixed to the bottom of the book, a space formed between certain of the match sticks parallel to the length thereof, an elastic element in the space, said element having one end fixed to the book near its bottom and the other end fixed to the flap near the top of the book so that when the flap is raised from the bottom of the book, the elastic element will freely move in the space and cause the flap to return when released, a guide fixed near the top of the back of the book for limiting lateral movement of the element, said guide comprising a staple having a dent to receive the elastic element, and veneer means covering the outer surface of the bottom, back, top and flap of the book.

6. In a match book comprising a single elongated sheet of cardboard having a relatively large area back Wall and front cover with an intermediate narrow top wall scored along their joining edges, the bottom of the back wall having a turned-up portion forming a pocket, a pad of matches having its lower portion in the pocket, an elastic band, a single means holding the pad and one end of the band securely fixed to the lower portion of the book, means near the top of the cover securely holding the other end of the band, said band extending from the bottom of the book along the central portion of the back between the matches of 'the plad, and guide means at the top of the back to prevent lateral movement but allowing free movement longitudinally of the book for the purposes described.

DAVID L. VAN NESS. 

